M&P 45 vs. 1911 Accuracy & reliability

[turbo38gn]

What an awsome tribute to a gun... if this doesn't speak volumnes of the quality and accuracy of a gun.... nothing does. It seems pretty unanimus, not to mention overwhelming if you are considering the M&P45.. I haven't CCW my M&P45 in a while, with my new IWB holster for 40c, I tried my M&P45 in it yesterday, fit perfect, carried for the day, other than feeling the extra few oz... it was very comforting knowing I had 10 45acp bullets at my defense...

 

[Maximumbob54]

Silly rabbits...

External extractors are for double action 9mm's...

 

[growr]

Don't know if this will help with your decision making process or not, but I will share an experience from a recent class I put on.

I had a recently widowed 76 year old lady with slightly arthritic hands that did not know which of her recently deceased husbands collection she should use, she simply grabbed 8 boxes of 45ACP ammo which ran the gamut there were 185gr. semi wadcutters, 200 gr semi wadcutters, 230 JHP, 230 FMJ and some I did not recognize.

We instruct the students to have a bunch of loose rounds in their pockets so as to be able to top of their magazines while we are giving them instructions for the upcoming stage.

Well, being the good and dutiful student she was, she dumped ALL of the ammo out in her gym bag and mixed all of the ammo. She was using my M&P 45 Full Size as a loaner.

To my surprise and that of the other instructors as well, the M&P ran everything with no problems at all. Also, the point of aim and point of impact seemed to remain the same with magazines loaded with all kinds of different ammo.

After class she returned my M&P .45ACP she asked me to write down what it was that she just used. I did and asked her why, her response was "I have to go get one of these, this is fun!!"

I am not sure any of my beloved 1911's would do the same with magazines full of mixed ammo.
Randy

 

[turbo38gn]

Silly rabbits...

External extractors are for double action 9mm's...

really don't get this one..... but nice looking 1911..

 

[bobkarno]

My son and I had an opportunity to shoot a guys Kimber (awesome gun) at the range this weekend (you meet the nicest people at the shooting range), and we let him shoot our M&P. I have to say that there is something about shooting a 1911 that just makes you feel like you are using a piece of history. That being said, my son and I agreed that the M&P was a little easier to handle (less muzzle jump on same ammo) than the 1911. What was funny was that the experience made me want to get a 1911 (a S&W E Series perhaps), and our new friend was really grooving on the M&P.

 

[smitty704]

I own a M&P.45c and it is my favorite pistol to shoot. I have shot glock, ruger, and many other pistols, the M&P is the nicest pistol out IMO! I suggest a 45c to anyone that plans on concealed carrying. It is compact and shoots like a champ!!!!!

 

[Rangel]

The 1911 kind of reminds me of a late 60's, early 70's Corvette/Stingray. They were and still are great cars, just like the 1911's are still great guns, but put the older models up against a new Vette and the oldies might feel great, but in just about every performance parameter, the new Vette is going to put a spanking on those old vintage cars. Sure, you can do some upgrades to the old Vettes and the 1911 has been refined quite a bit in recent years, (especially Kimber, Les Baer) but in most cases, there are still newer models that overall, are equally, or even more reliable. They usually also offer better performance for the amount of money you'll dish out for a prime condition older model versus a new 'version' shooting the same caliber round. But all the same, there's nothing quite like shooting a nice 1911.

 

[yuri]

Similar to Porsche 1911 story..Every once in a while your dash will crack, and your key will not work the lock, but most of the time it is fun. And my Town Car makes me money non-stop day after day, after day, after day..

 

[ET.]

To be fair wouldn't one need to compare a cheap 1911 to the M&P45? Wouldn't that be an apples to apples comparison? When I was in the market for my first 45acp, I looked at the offerings in the range that I had available. OK, most people have more than $550 available when they go 1911 shopping, but I didn't. I looked at the cheap 1911's, but decided that a new Glock 21sf was the gun for me in that price range. The 1911's available were either used & abused or the cheaper manufacturers like Rock Island. I'm sure they are fine guns, but I just felt more comfortable with a 45acp Glock since it was to be a self defense/home defense gun.

Recently I decided to purchase a good range gun that I could shoot tight groups at 25 +Yds. My Glock was the only gun I owned with a barrel over 3 1/2" except for the Sigma, which isn't designed as a target pistol. I again opted for something other than a 1911. I purchased a M&P 40 Pro with a 5" barrel. Again the cost was $550 and the reliability and accuracy has to be better than what I could have found at that price in a 1911. (Granted I jacked the cost up by purchasing a 357sig barrel & a 9mm conversion barrel) That added cost pushed the purchase into the range for a 1911 that would have yielded a pretty nice 1911 gun. I just wouldn't have the versatility of the M&P.

I agree that everyone needs at least one 1911 in their collection. I still don't have one, but I'm sure there is one in my future. Will it be a cheaper one? Probably not. Maybe I'll luck out and find a really good one at a really good price. But until then I will enjoy the accuracy, reliability & versatility my M&P 40 Pro & my Glock 21sf.

 

[bmcgilvray]

I have 1911s. They have always worked. I'll stick with them.

 

[Rangel]

Re:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

>>Similar to Porsche 1911 story..Every once in a while your dash will crack, and your key will not work the lock, but most of the time it is fun. And my Town Car makes me money non-stop day after day, after day, after day..<<

I like that analogy, but I see comparisons to of the 1911 pistol in both the Porsche 911, which has basically been the same car, continuously updated since the mid 1950's, just as the 1911 has since , well--1911! Then again, pretty much all the 1911's and a lot of different companies have made them, even the Singer Sewing Machine company at one time had a military contract to build 1911s, have made them large, steady and sturdy, much like the Lincoln Towncar.

Shame, the Lincoln Towncar, ladder frame and all, has been discontinued by Ford. Long a mainstay in NYNY, where most of them were known a 'black cars' they are preferred by the rich as they don't stand out too much and in some areas, are actually the most common car in traffic. They take a licking and keep ticking, many going to 400,000+ miles, with repair and after market parts easy to find and cheap at that. All you really needed to stretch them into a limo was a welding torch and some cheap parts, including ready made electrical harnesses. The 1960's Lincoln Continentals are said to be (due to the motor and withstanding rust hopefully) the longest lasting car ever made in the USA-- second worldwide only to the Mercedes 240 diesel.

Yea, you see some great old guns out there--I'm still looking for a Sharps Carbine, but like the Towncar is to autos, there's probably no older pistol more common and fixable than the venerable 1911.

What car would you compare your favorite gun to?

 

[ET.]

What car would you compare your favorite gun to?

Glock 21sf = Ford Crown Vic

Glock 27 = Jeep Wrangler

M&P 40 Pro = Mercury Grand Marquis

Those are my three favorite guns that I own.

 

[Ken NC]

Wow, this generated a lot of discussion!
I went ahead and got the full size M&P 45 with ambi safety last weekend. Shot it today, liked it alot. Moved the target back, shot it some more, and liked it even more. It is a keeper for sure.

I have an original Colt series 70 and like it alot, but don't shoot it often and didn't want to customize it. Wanted something with decent accuracy and better sights, reliable, lighter and easy to clean. The M&P has definitely fit the bill. Thanks again for all the thoughts & suggestions.

 

[patrick38b]

I'm a new owner of a s&w m&p 45c got the 50$ rebate
I also own a ria 1911 compact and my ria is now for sale
I guess its mainly my preference I have put enough time in each gun that I have realized a few differances
1- the m&p is half the weight which is nicer to carry
2- both guns have high capacity mags so even on that
3- the ria came stock with one mag opposed to the 2 from s&w
4- the m&p has a nicer finish by far
5- the sites on each are stock sites and both work to my liking even there
6- I give the trigger pull to the ria but not by much
7- accuracy I give to the m&p
8- aesthetically the 1911 is nicer but after getting over
The fact that the m&p is gecko45 approved I can't help
But appreciate the fact that the m&p feels better in my hand like the way some ppl like menthols over full flavor, its my opinion.
9- the ria was more picky on ammo
10- m&p is more consealable thinner profile

In my opinion the
m&p was my best
logical choice for a 45 for me I'm curious what do other owners think of their m&p 45s ?
Think I made a good choice?

 

[catcus-jack]

I own both the Ruger SR1911 and an M&P .45 with 4.5" barrel and manual safety. The M&P is overall a superior weapon. Everyone should own a 1911 but I'd choose my M&P over any 1911, even a Brown, Baer or Wilson when the SHTF. About the only benefit of an entry level 1911 like the Ruger is the trigger. Step up to a custom or semi-custom 1911 and accuracy becomes another benefit. However, the M&P will keep banging crappy ammo in the dirtiest environments long after a 1911's extractor went limp. The M&P is more reliable, holds more rounds, is lighter, is more corrosion resistant, is safer (with manual safety), is easier to work on, has adjustable ergos with the different grip sizes and points as naturally as a 1911. It's trigger really isn't that bad. The take up is a little gritty as you pull through the firing pin safety but smooths over time and the sear breaks like glass despite being a little heavy. It's also accurate enough for 25 yard head shots off-hand. Get the M&P.

I have Wilson Combat 1911 and some others.The Wilson has over 100,000 documented rounds through it from 200gr lswc handloads to 230gr full house Cor-Bon hollow points.This pistol has been 99.9% reliable the only problems were with some out of spec reloads.I also have 2 M&P 45s when they reach the round count of the Wilson I will let you know which is more reliable.I don't know where you come up with your corrosion resistant results but there have been many threads about M&P slides rusting,also how do you figure an M&P with a thumb safety is safer than a 1911 which has a thumb safety and a grip safety?I carry both at different times,mostly the M&P if I would have to use it I would prefer the M&P to be laying in a police evidence room.
The choice is ultimately up to the op and since he already has a 1911 buy the M&P.I like mine but they will never replace my 1911s.

 

[Teleman1952]

I have a SS Colt Gold Cup and a M&P45 compact. My Gold Cup is one of the most accurate handguns I've ever shot and the only problems I've had with feeding are reloads that I didn't crimp enough. The trigger pull on the Colt is very light and crisp.

I've had the M&P45 since May. The first thing I did with the M&P was have a trigger job done. The trigger pull was so heavy it affected the accuracy. It was around 9 pounds. A gunsmith took it down to 5 pounds. It is not as accurate as the Gold Cup but for its intended function it doesn't need to be. I've put several hundred rounds through it and so far it ate everything without any problems. My Gold Cup is my paper puncher but the M&P45 is the one that stays loaded and as soon as it gets cool enough to wear a jacket I plan to carry it.

 

[scooter123]

I would have to come down on the side of the 1911. The 1911 is exceedingly easy to work on and I've found mine to have accuacy that is excellent. BTW, mine is the Ruger SR1911 of which I now have two. As for why two, it's simple, one will get the Ed Brown Bobtail mainspring housing and grip modification.

As for the accuracy of my Rugers, they are too close to call a difference. One thing I really appreciate is the sights, they are easy to see for even this old fart who normally can't focus on handgun sights anymore. I've shot both Rugers to 1.5 inces at 50 feet so I'm quite happy with their accuracy. About the only real negative with my Rugers are the magazines, they are not nearly as smooth to load as Wilson Combat magazines so I've stocked up on Wilson 47-D's and benched the Ruger Magazines. BTW, the Rugers are Combat Sighted with 230 grain bullets, something that I prefer. When focusing on the sights is difficult having the dot in the front sight correspond to the POI makes it easy to score well. In addition since my Sigs and revolvers are Combat sighted it means I don't have to adjust my sight picture for the Rugers.

Muzzle flip. Really, are we going to bring that up. First, the 4.5 inch M&P weighs in at about 30 ounces and a steel 1911 will run 38-39 ounces. That lighter weight will pretty much negate the advantage of the slightly lower bore axis on the M&P. In addition I think that muzzle flip is way way oversold on both the internet and in gun rags. The plain and simple truth is that only about 1 to 2 percent of handgun shooters come even close to a firing rate where muzzle flip will impact their split times for accurate fire. BTW, I have a CED 7000 that I train with so I know my split times, how many others here use a shot timer?

 

[federali]

On Home defense:

At typical home defense distances, often measured in feet, accuracy is not an issue. You don't need a gun that can shoot 1/2" groups at 25 yards. Reliability and your ability to handle the gun competently is everything.

I own both an S&W 1911, the plain vanilla model, and an M&P .45 w/4.5" barrel. Both guns do nightstand duty along with a Glock 19, depending on what I had used that day---easier to put it in the nightstand than to open the safe.

If you keep both guns clean, use quality magazines and factory ammunition, you'll probably not have a problem.

 

[JJEH]

Ken NC, get both. You won't regret it

 

[M&P Freak]

I'm a huge fan of .45ACP pistols. Have owned many nice 1911 variants in the past but own none of them now. In my opinion the M&P45 is the best of the M&P line-up. My personal favorite is the mid-size model, same gun as the compact but with a full-sized grip (0.7-inch longer) and two additional rounds. Concealable, reliable and comfortable to shoot.